Bolton man shot dead by police

The shooting happened at about 7.20pm on Saturday as armed officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) stopped the car in Culcheth.

Deputy Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said: "Officers from our Specialist Operations branch were involved in an pre-planned operation that resulted in a car being stopped in the Culcheth area of
Cheshire.

"As part of the operation, shots were fired and one man inside the vehicle was injured.

"The officers involved performed first aid on the victim at the scene but he sadly died. Two other men who were inside the car were arrested and will be questioned later today.

"This incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) who will carry out an independent inquiry to establish all the facts.

"I understand there will be a lot of anxious people both in the Cheshire community where this happened, and across Greater Manchester itself. I also understand there will inevitably be speculation
about what happened and the events leading up to this man's death.

"Firstly, our thoughts are with the man's family during what will clearly be a very difficult and emotional time, and specially trained family liaison officers have been in contact with the family.

"I want to assure them that ourselves, Cheshire Police and the Independent Police Complaints Commission will carry out a thorough investigation which will establish all the facts.

"I also want to stress that the Force is providing significant welfare and support to officers from the firearms team and we are working with the Police Federation and the Superintendents
Association as part of that support process.

"We are also working very closely with both Cheshire Police and the wider communities who will be affected by this incident to give those people the support they need over the coming days and
weeks.

"Again, there are some details we will not be able to go into because of the independent inquiry, but we will continue to keep our communities updated with what information we can share."

An inquest will be formally opened tomorrow afternoon at Warrington Coroners Court.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission has launched an investigation into the incident.

IPCC investigators have been present at the scene since last night. The independent investigation will consider the actions of all the officers at the scene, as well as the planning, decision
making and implementation of the operation which led to the death.

Ipsoregulated

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